Do You Have a Career or Do You Work?
Chris Brogan shared a fascinating point a few days ago. He said;
“I’ve been telling anyone who’ll listen that a job is just a unit of measurement of work. Meaning, you don’t need to be an employee to find fulfilling and secure work. You need to work to find work.
I also mean this in the sense that we sometimes think that we’re built for one career, when we’re really just a series of skill sets in search of fulfillment.”
This point really stood out to me for a number of reasons.
Why Your Exceptional Talents Come First
First, one tool and concept we use heavily with our clients is our exceptional talent tool. It essentially helps us find what talents, tasks, and strategic work we are superior at doing as well as enjoy. Chris Brogan is right on point when he says that we are really just a series of skill sets in search of fulfillment.
In order for you to truly enjoy and get the satisfaction out of the “work” you do, you need to know what your exceptional talents are first. Then you can find ways to focus as much of your time on those talents while developing the talents that will propel your future.
How Networking Will Keep You Working
The next point we both agree on is the importance of networking. What many in the job force don’t realize is that our boss isn’t actively looking for work for us to do. The managers, owners, and partners you work with all have their own goals to hit.
Through networking and building relationships, you will know what meaningful work you can get done to make a significant impact in your boss’ eye. If you become a priceless resource to your team, company, and boss, because you are linked into the projects and problems they need your help to solve, than the outsourcing, downsizing and layoffs will have to work that much harder to get rid of you.
The Perspective You Have to Take On Careers to Survive Today
Lastly, if you are planning on always having fulfilling work you need to have a different perspective.
I like how Chris put it:
“You are, and forever more will be, someone who has a portfolio career, someone who is developing several projects, one of which may or may not be a salaried position”
For example, I have a passion for marketing. I love to write, create, and sell and watch as others start to build a relationship and enjoy value from what I market. I love to tell personal experiences and read other people’s stories, learn from them, and grow as a community.
How do I make that into a “job” or “work” even if I’m not neccessarily salaried for it?
Easy, about a year ago I wanted to learn more about SEO and get some real learning and exposure to it. At the time I was in a cold calling sales job that didn’t let me develop that talent. So I applied for a freelance position with Ehow and started writing articles for them. Because I knew my talents were more in line with marketing than with cold calling I chose to develop the work for myself.
I learned a lot about SEO as well. I have multiple articles on the first page of Google as a result and am able to apply those same skills today as I’ve transitioned to a “salaried job” that matches those talents.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this. You may have a job that really doesn’t match your passions or you might be searching for a job in your talent area. Don’t let that delay you from “working”.
I’m curious to hear what stories and you have on the perspective of work, passions, and the way the economy has had you adapt. Share in the comments below.
image stuart conner
good point of view
thank u
Thanks Farouk,
As always, thanks for your comments. Let me know if I can do anything for you.